Answer:
the options are missing, so I looked for them:
The correct option is 2. Higher than the carrying amount at December 31, 2017.
Explanation:
When a company issues a bond at a discount the journal entry should be:
Dr Cash
Cr Bonds payable
Cr Discount on bonds payable
As time goes on, the discount on bonds payable is amortized increasing total interest expense, but also increasing the bonds carrying value.